Research in organometallic chemistry and ionic liquids

In our lab, we are working in two main areas:

low-melting ionic compounds and organometallic chemistry of ruthenium-carborane complexes, which are united  by the theme of carbon-boron cluster anions(the cage-looking fragment on the figure to the right).

• Carborane anions have a number of unique properties: on one hand, they are extremely inert, non -coordinating and stable.  On the other, they can be derivatized and tailored for specific applications (for example, to improve solubility or polarity).  Most modern homogeneous catalysts are based on cationic transition metal complexes, and thus follows the importance of the suitable anion that would not block the reactive metal center.  Carboranes are perfectly poised to address this issue.  We are currently working on developing catalytically active ruthenium-based cationic systems coupled with carborane anions. 
• The second area of our research is centered on low-melting ionic compounds, also called ionic liquids. Ionic liquids have attracted much attention recently as possible environmentally benign alternative to the organic solvents used in various chemical technological processes. Our research project is concentrated on the synthesis and characterization of the new class of compounds: carborane-based imidazolium ionic liquids. In this reseach we are persuing two fundamental goals: synthesis of the new useful materials for the practical applications, as well as studying the fundamental structure-property relationship in terms of factors governing low-melting behavior of these materials. The flexibility on the carborane derivatization allows for systematic study of various cominations of anions and cations here.

Both projects involve fair amount of real synthetic chemistry, sometimes with air-sensitive components (especially in the organometallic projects). We use extensively Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Infra-red and UV-vis spectroscopy methods, along with Differential Scanning Calorimetry(DSC) and X-ray crystallography.  We are fortunate to have external support from  major funding agencies, so with additional help of Ithaca College we were able to purchase several expensive pieces of instrumentation:  a new double-sized inert-atmosphere camera with a -40  C freezer, solvent purification system,  DSC  (coming this summer), and others.  Our RESEARCH OVERVIEW POSTER has many other exiting details about our research program and interests.

Our current student research team includes:

John Dymon (projected graduation year 2010),  Shawn Eady(2010),  Phil Byers(2008),  Cole Lechleighter(2010). 

Our research group has a role for students at all levels, from freshman to seniors. Many of our students have credited publications and have given presentations at regional or national conferences (see the list of publications and presentations here and read actual papers linked from this page).

Here is a partial list of the students who have been involved in the research in our lab at various stages, with graduation year and current place of employment (or study)

1. Eric Leibensperger, 2005, (Ph.D. program in Harvard), 
2. Jesse Kleingardner, 2006,  (Ph.D. program in Rochester), 
3. Matt Pearsall, 2006  (employed in Vertex, Inc.- pharmaceuticals industry), 
4. Joseph Livingston, 2006, (U of Syracuse Medical School), 
5. Katrina Brown, 2008
6. Semeret Munie, 2008, (deciding between graduate programs in Yale, Cornell,Vermont, etc)
7. Matt Sprague, 2005 (Ph.D. program at CalTech), 
8. Ryan Wibby, 2007(assistant brewer in Amish Country)
9. Nathan Kozlowsky, 2006 
10. Meredith Cummins, 2005
11. KelLee Rich, 2008 (going to Ophtalmology School in Indiana)
12. Jason Diaz, 2009 (currently in Japan on exchange program) 
13. Josh Masland, 2006

Our current activities and plans (as of April '08):

John Dymon is going to Australia this summer to learn Electrochemistry of Ionic Melts with our collaborator Maria Forsyth research group in Monash University.

Shawn Eady, Cole Lechleiter  and Anna Larsen are getting ready for an exciting summer of  research here at IC: carborane derivatization and low-melting ionics for Sean and Ru-chemistry for Cole!  

Annas is planning to participate in the International Congress on coordination Chemistry in July 2008.

Jason Diaz (currently on student exchange program in Japan) is planning to present at the 236 National ACS meeting in August 2008.  

Other news: 

John Dymon has received IC Dana summer internship to support his trip to Australia!!  Way to go visit kangaroos and do some electrochemistry in the spare time!!

Anna gave an invited lecture at the SUNY-Albany chemistry Department on April 15th. Very useful feedback was an extra-bonus of the trip!

We just heard that Ithaca college will fund the purchase of our own Differential Scanning Calorimeter and Thermogravimetric Analyzer (~40K)!  No more trips (and no more paying!) to Cornell U for that!!

Congratulations to Cole Lechlieter who was awarded special ACS PRF summer scholarship.   

In spite of serious case of  senioritus,  Phil Byers is still planning to graduate this spring!! (Which grad school will it be, Phil?....)

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